The Ellis County Historical Society is now offering McDonald's Coupon Books for $5!

Great stocking stuffers for Christmas!

Contact the Historical Society to Purchase While Supplies Last

New Winter Hours

Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Closed Sunday and Monday

Open Other Hours by Appointment

Have research to do? Have a group of 8 or more that would like a tour? Call us to schedule a time. Our staff will be happy to accomodate you!

The museum is closed

on the following holidays:

New Year's Day

Easter

Memorial Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving (and day after)

Christmas Eve

Christmas

A D M I S S I O N FEE:

$6.00 Adult

$2.00 Children (ages 6-12)

County

Discount

Members are FREE

Research facilities included in museum fee

View our history in the Main Gallery, from the frontier era through today. Visit our Saloon and learn to play faro, a popular card game in the Old West. As always, our DiscoveryCenter for children of all ages (located in the balcony) is open for learning fun with vintage clothes to try on, old time toys, farm animals, diorama, and much more. The Stone Church, built in 1879, is the oldest existing church building in Ellis County. Visit our Museum Storeand take home some Kansas souvenirs.

The Younger Harness Shop, an original store from the early 1900s located on the museum grounds, displays saddles and other related items, telling the story of Ellis County ranchers.

Our replica Volga German Haus, also located on the museum grounds, tells the story of Ellis County's largest immigrant group, the Volga Germans, who settled in Ellis County after living in Russia for 100 years.

The Hays Fire Department Museum is the newest addition to our campus. Replicated after the fire station that was located in Hays beginning in 1927, this museum was funded by the Hays Firemen's Relief Association.

Pick up our Walking Tour brochureswhile you are here. Tour at your convenience down the streets of historic downtown Hays. On one of our walking tours, you will be taken back to the Wild West era of early Hays. In the other tour, various buildings have been restored and new businesses brought into what is called the Chestnut Street Historic District, a name that paid homage to the former name of Main Street (which was Chestnut Street until 1929). Enjoy learning the history of these buildings.